Become a friend to Me

   Today my heart is filled with thoughts that my prayers are working and powerful but for that I simply have to understand who I am in Jesus and follow some principles.

   I understand that when I pray to my Father He hears me. «Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart. » (Je.29:12,13). In prayers my heart is looking only for God. I put aside all things and focus on God ultimately! It is very important to understand that while communicating with someone we don’t think about other things or our problems but focus on our conversation because we value this time. Same way with God — by dedicating our time for communication with Him we honor Him. I realize that God hears me! This is great! I can tell Him everything and He listens to me; He will never tell me it is not the right time for that or lets talk tomorrow. He ALWAYS has time for me…

   But there arises next question: whether God will answer my prayer after hearing it? We often have needs in life and this is usual. May I pray to God revealing my needs? And the answer comes right away — yes, I may? «If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. » (Jn.15:7). Abiding in God and His Word is my main task. In this chapter Jesus also gives an example for our understanding how we can abide in Him. «I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.» (Jn.15:1-6). That means if I abide in God I am to bear fruit. I understand it this way: if I have a husband and we live together and have fellowship on a regular basis I automatically know his desires and I please him doing what is necessary for the wellbeing of my husband. Same way with God — if I have fellowship with Him, live with Him and have close relationship with Him then I know His desires and fulfill them.

  «But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. » (Ga.5:22,23). These qualities ought to be in us so that people around us would understand that we are born of God. And if you have these qualities you will be able to serve any one in any thing. God wants us to bear much fruit cause the more fruit we bear the more the Father is praised.

   If I don’t bear fruit my condition is questionable; it is possible that I am not abiding in Him. How then can I ask of Him anything? I don’t approach a stranger on the street to ask him of anything. When you don’t know God you don’t have fellowship with Him, you don’t abide in Him through reading His Word and praying; you look like a vagabond by the corner asking for a crumb of bread. Jesus doesn’t want this kind of relationship. He wants to be more than that to you.

Farther in this chapter I read, «Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. » (Jn.15:14). That is what we are in Christ! Why we not always are willing to be a friend to Him. Why can’t we trust Him everything in life. Why do we still carry the burden of living on our own while He stretches His helping hand and calls us His friends?

Reading in this chapter earlier we see what Jesus wants from us in reply. «This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. » (Jn.15:12). Here I see that Hs love has nothing to do with affectionate smiles, hearty conversations or walks together. This is something more that that. «Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. » (Jn.15:13). That is what Jesus wants from us. And I understand that there are few friends I would agree to suffer for… But I want very much to be a friend to Jesus and I will work with self. Love is a strong feeling which must be developed. In 1 Corinthians 14:1 I read, «follow after charity… ». You don’t start loving all people instantly and forever. No. You develop this by: working out your muscles, gaining strength, eating appropriate food… Shortly to say you do everything to grow in your love in order to be ready to give your-self for your friend.

« …but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. » (Jn.15:15). Our relationships with Jesus must be appropriate; we must take Him as our friend and fulfill His desires. Friendship is built on trust and fulfilling of requests and desires. And then we read a next verse:

  «Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. » (Jn.15:16). I can be sure that He will answer me because we are friends with Him. I know His desires and fulfill them; and revealing Him my desires I know for sure — He’s going to fulfill them.

I am greatly thankful to God…

   My heart is overflowing with gratitude to God for everything!

   Recently I watched a TV program about a group of researchers who went to Mozambique to explore small badgers. This program was dedicated to these unusual animals but I wasn’t interested in them; my attention was caught by the Bushmen people with who the researchers group was staying. This people are very special! God showed me through them that I am not fully thankful to Him!

   Bushmen have big families. Every family has its own territory which has its water sources. Life of this people is very hard. If they travel and are far from the water source the only way fit them to have some drink is frogs’ belly! Just for the sake of one sip of water during the heat weather they must dig a hole by the tree and find a frog. While I was watching it my heart started to get filled up with deep gratitude for the fact I live in a country that has running water in our homes! I don’t struggle with thirst and mustn’t look for water sources or frogs to get some drink. What I have to do is simply open the water tap…

   I am not talking about what they eat. I didn’t see any bushman eating grub warms and murmuring saying that he is tired of this kind of life and willing something else. I am very thankful to God for showing me these things. I really can thank Him for giving me food which is attractive outwardly, tasty, nourishing and mostly important — various.

   So often I satisfy my sweet tooth with candies, chocolate, cakes! But for Bushmen sweets are honey ants, wild bees honey which they gain by hard ways. For me this is very easy — just closest store; and no need to look for ants!

   Hunting and fishing is an adventure for us but for Bushmen it is different. They don’t have any suiting gears nor clothes. In order to catch some fish they fill their “boats” (which are hardly to be called boats) with stones to fight away crocodiles and hippopotamuses and only after that they are able to set nets. Fish which they catch with lots of efforts is smoked and exchanged for some life necessities (clothes, spears, etc…).   

   Thanks be to God for my life! I have everything for life: I am well clothed, I live in a comfortable apartment with I need and even more!

   I know God and can have fellowship with Him and this is the most important! I pray to God for this people to get to know God. I pray for people that preach the gospel to come to this people and tell them about the Salvation. I haven’t find any information about evangelizing this people.

  I understand they are not the only people that need God but I ask everybody whose heart is being touched by this message to pray to God for this people. And may every one’s heart be thankful!!!

Continuation of the fasting “Are You Hungry?” or “Benefit From Food”

   It is very good when we feed our-selves with the Word of God every day. And it  is better when  we live by this Word and bear fruit.

   I would like to retell a proverb Jesus was telling to the people, or to be exact, it is apart of the proverb. «And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable: A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.» (Lk.8:4-8).

   This proverb is about those who read the Word of God but because of different circumstances there is no farther spiritual growth, and this Word vanishes as it wasn’t there at all. I would like to talk about one of the reasons why we sometimes don’t reach the level in our growth we could have been there earlier. This reason is — the soil with thorns that spring up and choke the seed. «And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection.» (Lk.8:14).

   Yes. Namely cares of life sometimes kill the seed in us which we diligently try to plant. In spite of his/her age every one can be carried away with whatever thing!

   For example a young man of 20 years old who attends some University on daily basis. He puts efforts to open his bible every day to read it but his mind is full of thoughts about his study that hinder him to meditate on God’s Word. He constantly thinks about his study subjects, new theme that is hard to digest, and there is session to be soon! So he starts to reread his material again, he studies hard and thoroughly tries to memorize every terminology. And suddenly on the horizon appears a Ms. the Right One, and thoughts about how to win her fill his mind in addition to his thoughts about study. But what happened with his meditation on the Word of God that was recently sawn into his heart?

We are people and we are very easily get distracted. We have a house which we constantly want to make a comfy place. We have a car which we have to take to the yearly check. We have to think of cooking meals daily. We have a job that invites us to the career growth. We have children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren we want to take care of. And I didn’t mention a type of women that care much of their “how-do-I-look-outwardly”, who constantly put efforts to keep their image on 100% thinking about buying a new blouse or a new purse… The list of those things can be continued long. How can the Word of God grow  in the one’s heart if he or she puts cares of life first?

   The condition of our heart is much important; what we think about or to what we strive in live! Our soil must be soft and able to receive the seed. We are to expect the seed; and whenever it comes our way we have to keep it in our heart.

   Where do your thoughts reside? What does attract your attention?

Every Word sawn into your heart has to bear fruit! Manifest it to people!

   «No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth [it] under a bed; but setteth [it] on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light» (Lk.8:16).

Are you hungry?

   How good it is to wake up in the morning and feel hunger! And you don’t feel that it could mean there is some problem with your health. Appetite is a good sign that you are in a good health.

   But I began to notice that we are not always willing to eat spiritual food… Why? Physically we constantly have an unceasing desire to fill our stomachs. I haven’t seen anyone who would have breakfast on Monday and then lunch on Wednesday just because he or she forgot about eating or didn’t want to. People eat regularly in spite of anything. And sometimes people are ready to do a lot of things in exchange for their stomach be full. Then why do we sometimes have no desire to read the Word of God? Why do we look for unending excuses not to do that?

    If you don’t have appetite — get cured of it, correct your-self and do it quick! You can’t live without food, don’t look for excuses! Today you don’t want to eat and tomorrow you starve to death; that is how it works in life.

   Being consistent is very important for us. If we eat every day at least three times a day, and plus to it if we eat healthy food our bodies will be healthy and what isn’t less important they will be strong! Admit your being hungry and eat!

   «And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every [word] that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.» (De.8:3). God gives us this kind of bread. Every day especially for you God prepares the most delicious food portion. Ever time He does prepare something new, something special and nice to taste. What you just have to do is to find time to eat what was prepared for you. Sometimes it will require of you some sacrifice but you will be quickened and filled with real life in return! You will be filled with desires to run, fly and do for God everything cause He is the source of life.

   «Oh that [men] would praise the LORD [for] his goodness, and [for] his wonderful works to the children of men! » (Ps.107:8).

ALWAYS in our life…

In reading the bible we can see several principles we are to follow constantly…

1. ALWAYS search for Him

«Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.»(Ps.105:4). I am pretty sure this must be on a first place in our every-day-life. Always in any circumstance, no mutter what is on in life — seek Him first.

2. ALWAYS rejoice

It is very easy to check up whether your joy is in God or not. Joy from God abides ALWAYS in spite of any circumstance. Check your-self!

It is impossible to have real joy without God while going through troubles. Only if God is in our life real joy that comes from God is pouring over. While somebody’s life is coming apart because of some little thing your life is filled with meaning and JOY while you are going through hard times!

«Rejoice in the Lord alway: [and] again I say, Rejoice. » (Php.4:4).

3. ALWAYS pray                                                                                                                                   Praying, fellowshipping with Him constantly, thinking about Him, meditating and dwelling in Him. «Pray without ceasing. »(1Th.5:17).

4. ALWAYS trust God

«Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.» (Hos.12:6).

We don’t even understand what opportunity we were given in trusting God always!

Somebody trusts him-self, his work, somebody burdens his relatives, others hope to win a lottery, to receive inheritance from a grandmother or just trust at tomorrow’s luck.

«But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. » (Ps.71:14).

5. ALWAYS praise and thank Him

«By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name. » (He.13:15).

Yes, this is the sacrifice because to praise Him isn’t always easy. Sometimes we have to correct our ways in order to praise Him with a pure and sincere heart. Only sincere hearts are able to really praise God!

6. ALWAYS edify self

«Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. » (1Ti.4:16). We have to constantly maintain self-control over our inner condition abiding in God’s word and studying it unceasingly.

7. ALWAYS love your brothers

«Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.» (1Pe.1:22,23).

Unceasingly means in any circumstance God’s love is to be manifested in us cause we were born again by God!

8. ALWAYS labor efficiently for God

«Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. » (1Co.15:58).

To each one of us God tells what we are to do if we ask Him about it. And what we do for Him must have success and be done from the whole heart for 100%.

Perhaps this is not a full list of principles we have to follow constantly but I think if you ALWAYS will follow at least these listed ones your life will have a good result!

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

   We rarely think about the importance to have fellowship with the children of God. Sometimes we are focused ultimately on God, our fellowship with Him and abiding in His word. We feel good at fellowshipping with God, loving Him, sensing His love and having His protection and care. I am not saying how bad or wrong it is; it is just not enough.

   I would like to share with you my personal experience. Once I started to experience God in a deep way, fellowshipping with Him, and then I thought there can’t be anything better than this. Every day God would talk to me and show many things I hadn’t even dreamed of. From day to day His grace was pouring on me. I liked it very much and though it would last for ever. But one day as I was waiting for His blessing to pour on me again, praying long and seeking His face still nothing was happening; though seemed like nothing had changed from my side. I continued my search till I read Psalm 133, «Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] for brethren to dwell together in unity! [It is] like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, [even] Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, [and as the dew] that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, [even] life for evermore. ».

   I realized that I needed fellowship not just with God but also with brothers by faith. The ointment which God through Moses poured on Aaron was very precious.

   In the book of Exodus we can see description of how this ointment was prepared. «Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred [shekels], and of sweet cinnamon half so much, [even] two hundred and fifty [shekels], and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty [shekels], And of cassia five hundred [shekels], after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.» (Ex.30:23-25).

   In the next verse I read about the dew of Hermon that descended upon the mountains of Zion. What is this dew of Hermon? And why is that important for us? It is supposed that Hermon is a mountain which is the highest peak of the mountain Zion. This peak is seen in any place in Palestine. I learned about a very interesting fact from reading some bible guide books. There is snow lying on the top of this mountain through the whole year time. In reality this is of a great importance for people of Israel because during the season of extreme heat when the whole land is dried up by the sun at day time the snow vapors and transforms into the condensed clouds which then turn into the ample dew at night time. This serves as a special blessing for people of Israel.

   I started to realize that the treasure I am looking for God has given us through the fellowship with the children of God. Sharing our life with our brothers is a blessing and precious ointment from God. It was appointed to be so by our Creator. He fills us up and after that we fill up one an other. I would like to mention that it is hard to do but God has given us, Christians, something other people don’t have — love that comes from Him. This kind of love is described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, «Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth…». Sharing your life with brothers means knowing on an other’s needs and trying to cover them.

   We can’t call our-selves by this great name “Christians” if we don’t have love. Fellowship void of love won’t last long. Only fellowship based on God’s love will bless and edify us and this is our treasure we should pursue!

   «By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.» (Jn.13:35).